Definition: decadence

"(n.) unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence."

This is what is going on at 49 Steele Road these days. It's only because I'm pregnant and feeling particularly needy -- well, and that my husband got this bonus that we hadn't factored into our meagre existence -- but I am really shooting for hell these days.

I have stopped walking really. It hurts my groin so badly from time to time to walk a great deal that when I do feel OK I'm trying to enjoy the lack of pain.

I demanded jewelry for Mothers' Day ("demand" is harsh, but when your husband doesn't know what to do and so you tell him ahead of time in order not to ruin your day (his too), DEMAND is indeed what it seems like) and instead of casual jewelry, which I expected, I received a really posh topaz pendant ... bought "because it was Carolina blue," which I happen to find quite endearing.

*gasp* A cleaning woman came to my house today and did the following: cleaned my bathroom, washed all the floors downstairs, cleaned my kitchen better than I ever have, arranged the magnets on my refrigerator!, ironed two of Mark's shirts, dusted downstairs and even lined up the shoes on the shoe rack. I am in awe.

I've been eating ice cream. And hording American Jell-o pudding -- not sharing with guests or even my husband and daughter. Why is chocolate pudding so good? I don't even like chocolate. But the texture is unbelievable. And how is it that peanut butter can go on almost anything? Likewise sour cream.

Really, I'd be making a bigger deal out of all this except I know that in a few (long) weeks the baby will be here and a lot of this stuff will be over. (Not the cleaner! I get to hold onto her until we leave.) I'm still making a big deal out of it. My life is so simple right now ... except for that whole toddler-peeing-in-her-pants-constantly thing.